2003 Lincoln LS
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › LS › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Lincoln LS. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2003 Lincoln LS. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17 inch chrome wheels, the chrome wheels were not heat-treated. these wheels may crack at the lug-nut holes, which could result in the loss of the lug-nut torque.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this condition occurs, the driver may experience noise and/or vibration while driving the vehicle. continued operation of the vehicle could result in the wheel separating from the hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the wheels to make sure that all the wheels have been heat-treated. any wheel that has not been heat-treated will be replaced. owner notification began april 14, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact lincoln at 1-800-521-4140.
Owner complaints
68 complaints3 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine · Service brakes · Suspension
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control…
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pedal was depressed started hearing vacuum leak under dash, brake pedal real hard , and couldn't hardly get car to stop, traction control light started flashing. Found bad brake booster and sensor located on it (both unavailable from manufacturer), also found on line that to get light to stop flashing you have to take to dealer and have reprogrammed (nobody else has the ability) 4) Have constantly had problem with check engine light staying on and running rough, no power, and having to replace ignition coils 5) While wife was driving with no advance notice of any kind heading home on farm market road with no shoulder to pull off on transmission went out completely and stopped pulling 6) Rear control arm bushings go from ok to extremely bad causing back end to drift from side to side going down the highway in a blink of an eye 7) Right front sway bar link keeps wearing control arm and snapping stud off 8) Sunroof drain hoses constantly failing and allowing water to get to electrical components The list goes on but all you have to do is a online search of the LS sport with the 3.9 v-8 and see all the problems. I was in automotive for over 16 years and every vehicle generally has its know couple problems but this is way beyond that. There hasn't been any accidents or injuries but real close to it.
- Tires · Wheels
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the chrome wheels were leaking air which caused the tires to become flat. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the chrome wheels were leaking air which caused the tires to become flat. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 03V136000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Engine · Unknown or other
Car gets to hot my fill bucket for the radiator keeps getting a hole in the bottom of it or some where I have replaced it twice and again the same problem with this car. And it has over heated and goes all the way to h now because of this problem it mite now need head gaskets y can't you make this…
Car gets to hot my fill bucket for the radiator keeps getting a hole in the bottom of it or some where I have replaced it twice and again the same problem with this car. And it has over heated and goes all the way to h now because of this problem it mite now need head gaskets y can't you make this car better then it IS and make it with no problems there junk I won't even tell anyone to buy this piece of junk.and it saying safe fail mode over and over like this car IS problem after problem can someone fix my car for me at no cost please.
- Service brakes · Suspension · Wheels
While driving this car on a highway or street any time it encounters small bumps the wheel turns and there's a loud slamming sound from the front passenger and driver side of the car. It's worse going into turns speed does not matter you can go slow or fast and the loud slamming sound IS there. It…
While driving this car on a highway or street any time it encounters small bumps the wheel turns and there's a loud slamming sound from the front passenger and driver side of the car. It's worse going into turns speed does not matter you can go slow or fast and the loud slamming sound IS there. It feels very unsafe and dangerous. But me being a senior citizen with a son who as a disability we cannot afford to get this fixed our selves. It started a while ago but was not that bad but it just progressed and got worse. We need this car for doctors appointments and food shopping. We cant travel far for fear of being in a crash or being stranded.
- Suspension · Wheels
When ever the car IS driven any little bump or patch in the road has the car making a loud slam sound even worse going over any bump and even worse into turns. Also the wheel seems to pull at those times as well, this IS on any street or highway while driving, feels very scary and unsafe. We don't have funds to fix this and it's been a problem only getting worse.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving various speeds, the gear shifter became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to autofarm ford lincoln (221 mall rd, logansport, in 46947, 574-753-6294) where it was diagnosed that the cycloid patch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned. The contact stated that the transmission hardshifted, which caused the vehicle to lunge forward on more than one occasion. Jackson ford in decatur, illinois was made aware of the failure, but the…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned. The contact stated that the transmission hardshifted, which caused the vehicle to lunge forward on more than one occasion. Jackson ford in decatur, illinois was made aware of the failure, but the source of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle failed to engage into overdrive and the check transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (casey jackson ford, 1435 e main st, royston, ga…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle failed to engage into overdrive and the check transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (casey jackson ford, 1435 e main st, royston, ga 30662) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 78,000. *Tt *tr
- Electrical system · Power train
Car goes into fail safe each and every time it IS driven. It did so 19 times today. I connected a code reader which identified the problems as being related to the throttle control and the throttle body. I purchased the car 1 1/2 months ago. Prior owner had the throttle body replaced with a new mopar unit 4 months ago/ 2000.miles ago. Don't want to replace it again since this IS likely not the problem.
- Fuel/propulsion system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to two independent…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who confirmed the fuel odor along the rear passenger side wheel. The contact was informed that a lot of parts would need to be removed in order to diagnose the failure. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
- Power train
The transmission has problems shifting while driving and makes it dangerous to other cars around me
- Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
Took transmission for repair. Transmission shop could not load new lincoln software on new computer module. It has been two weeks at rowlett transmission shop and now the "engine side" of the new computer installed will not clear. says there in an engine issue now. There was no engine issue before I took it to get the transmission fixed.
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
I purchased my 2003 lincoln LS june/2015. Excellent condition, 35,000 miles. Interior immaculate condition leather seats and carpet virutally untouched. Underneath hood the same, hadn't look as if been driven. Exterior body and paint again excellent. The car appeared as if it had stood still in…
I purchased my 2003 lincoln LS june/2015. Excellent condition, 35,000 miles. Interior immaculate condition leather seats and carpet virutally untouched. Underneath hood the same, hadn't look as if been driven. Exterior body and paint again excellent. The car appeared as if it had stood still in time. Upon investigation, only one owner of the vehicle who'd maintained a first class maintenance record. Over the last week the vehicle my wife was driving she said while driving the vechicle began to stall while she was accelerating in traffic. She stated she was able to get it out the street but in doing so the engine revved up and shut off. Over the past few days on several occasions the vehicle replicated the exact same tendency with me. Stalling, hesitating during acceleration to the point of shut down in the middle of traffic. In motion on a very busy city street. Engine light also came on
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln LS. While driving approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled and the vehicle restarted independently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,066. The vin was not included.
- Power train
Cel came on, code indicated transmission issue. "e" appeared in the gear indicator, rather than the gear the transmission was in. trans would not shift into 2ND and 5TH of gears. had the car towed to transmission shop, who told me the problem was a bad transmission case that had been destroyed…
Cel came on, code indicated transmission issue. "e" appeared in the gear indicator, rather than the gear the transmission was in. trans would not shift into 2ND and 5TH of gears. had the car towed to transmission shop, who told me the problem was a bad transmission case that had been destroyed as the result of servo impact over time. a bushing could have resolved the problem, had lincoln installed one at manufacture. tech told me this was a known problem with the lincoln 5R55 transmission. shop installed new transmission, with bushing, for $3700. no way a modern trans should fail at 113K miles, esp. From something like this, so easily preventable. lincoln purchasers, who pay a premium for the advertised quality of a lincoln, expect and deserve better, especially since a substantial number of lincoln purchasers have experienced the exact same problem, and have had to bear the cost of the transmission replacement necessitated by lincoln's manufacture and placement in the stream of commerce of a proven defective product. lincoln should bear some of the cost, but has refused to do so. *tr
- Service brakes
Coming to a stop applied the brakes peddle went to the floor made a strange noise would not stop.almost ran into the back of the car in front of me.checked out could not find anything wrong except small amount of brake fluid around the master cylinder at the cap. [Xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Engine
While driving the car it misfires it doesn't want to go on acceleration..it IS leaking oil into the spark plug wells and affecting coils..there was a extension warranty on these parts.but it was 10 years or 100000 mile . I didn't purchase this car till after it already had more than 100000 miles so…
While driving the car it misfires it doesn't want to go on acceleration..it IS leaking oil into the spark plug wells and affecting coils..there was a extension warranty on these parts.but it was 10 years or 100000 mile . I didn't purchase this car till after it already had more than 100000 miles so I was unaware of these extensions and time frames..i spoke with ford/lincoln and basically told the extended warranty would not cover.i feel this should be a recall not extended warranty. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine · Structure
Car hesitates on acceleration since it was new. Took the car to the selling dealer and they could not find a problem. The condition got worse. When traveling down the highway the car starts bucking and misfiring. Took the car back to the selling lincoln dealership (sesi lincoln mercury). They…
Car hesitates on acceleration since it was new. Took the car to the selling dealer and they could not find a problem. The condition got worse. When traveling down the highway the car starts bucking and misfiring. Took the car back to the selling lincoln dealership (sesi lincoln mercury). They dealership said the drivers door needed adjustment. This made no sense to me and did not fix the problem. The car went out of warranty shortly after that. Now check engine light comes on intermittently and car hesitates, bucks, stalls and runs rough, misfires at highway speeds, and mil starts flashing. The cowl plastic piece has a poor seal on it that lets water onto the engine electrical system. Ford issued a technical service bulletin that addresses this issue and ford admits that seals need to be replaced. This may not be the only problem with this cars electrical system, but it IS a big problem. This IS a design defect, nothing a customer can do to prevent this. Ford should have recalled these cars and fixed them at no cost. The fact that their dealerships were hiding the real reason for this misfire and not repairing the vehicles under warranty IS breech of contract. Ford should be fined and punished and forced to recall and repair all of these cars. I am an ase master mechanic. I teach automotive service technology at the college level. This should not be happening. The car was garage kept and very well maintained, it looks new. I found that # 6 cylinder had a p0306 coil misfire dtc. I had to remove the intake manifold just to see the coil on plug set up on the passenger side bank of engine. Turns out there IS poor sealing of the windshield cowl area and water runs directly onto the engine and engine electrical system. The water shorts out the coils, spark plugs, computer and electrical system. The car IS not safe to drive. This can happen at any time especially when wet. *tr
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
Hello, I bought a 2003 lincoln LS and I'm getting a message on the dash that IS saying etc fail safety mode and the car IS not able to go over 30 mph, and has very slow pick up and IS running very hard. I have found that sometimes if I turn the car off/on the message does not come up the car…
Hello, I bought a 2003 lincoln LS and I'm getting a message on the dash that IS saying etc fail safety mode and the car IS not able to go over 30 mph, and has very slow pick up and IS running very hard. I have found that sometimes if I turn the car off/on the message does not come up the car drives normally. I have tried replacing the throttle body after getting the check engine light came on with to codes p0207 and p02110 and I'm still having the same problem. I have read allot of complaints about this problem with fix. *tr
- Power train · Vehicle speed control
Shifts hard, when in 20-30 mph, in gear 2 and 3. after diagnostic, dealer said it may be transmission, but they have to tear it apart. if bands, torque converter, or solenoid pack they have to tear down and rebuild. he did say that one of the solenoids went outer if bands were bent, they would…
Shifts hard, when in 20-30 mph, in gear 2 and 3. after diagnostic, dealer said it may be transmission, but they have to tear it apart. if bands, torque converter, or solenoid pack they have to tear down and rebuild. he did say that one of the solenoids went outer if bands were bent, they would have to rebuild the transmission for a cost of $2500 - $3500. I have read all over the internet where people are complaining about hard shifting and transmission problems. It seems that the part was defective by design. One person said that they bought a kit that fixes the design flaw - 5RW master servo bore repair kit (ford 5r55w/s/n). It IS not made by ford, it seems they are too cheap to fix the real problem. they should listen to peoples concerns. I am also going to call the 800 number for ford lincoln and send them a letter. would use with any tranny rebuild. The final cost of the repair IS now at $4000.00. Yikes. *tr
- Power train
The transmission failed and has to be replaced per grapevine ford in texas. these fords have had transmissions failing for years and you lazy people won't make them recall them. exactly has does one get to own a government agency?? *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I bought a 2003 lincoln LS and it has been in the shop most of the time I have owned it. 11,000 dollars worth of repairs. Now the transmission shift erratically and the dealer says it can be fixed and has to ha a new one. 3800 dollars more cmon the IS now only a 3000 dollar car. *tr
- Air bags › Side/window
My fiance was driving down the road approximately 35mph when out of nowhere the airbag in the driver seat deployed on its own with no impact to the vehicle. it rang her eardrum and scared her to death, the car of course filled with dust and she pulled over immediately and called me. she was only…
My fiance was driving down the road approximately 35mph when out of nowhere the airbag in the driver seat deployed on its own with no impact to the vehicle. it rang her eardrum and scared her to death, the car of course filled with dust and she pulled over immediately and called me. she was only about a mile away from home so I instructed her to slowly drive it home and park it. I have been reading about a lot of issues with the airbags in these cars. this IS a very dangerous thing to occur, had she been going faster, in the rain, been elderly, ect. She could have gotten killed or killed someone else. I am very unhappy about this and we are both scared to drive the car anymore if something like this can happen. what if it was the steering wheel next time? *tr
- Power train
My 2003 lincoln LS start shifting while driving and the check transmission light came on then the e in the gear box came on. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I have been having the same problems from day one since I bought this car. I had a brand new transmission put in by the lincoln place three years ago. now my transmission IS acting up again. 1. Transmission shifts rough or jerky from park 2. Transmission shifts rough or jerky while driving…
I have been having the same problems from day one since I bought this car. I had a brand new transmission put in by the lincoln place three years ago. now my transmission IS acting up again. 1. Transmission shifts rough or jerky from park 2. Transmission shifts rough or jerky while driving 3. Gear changes take to long to complete 4. Shifts occur too early, too late, too often 5.always having to replace the same parts. *tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10177863This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
- 10156863Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
- 10155551Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
- 10048099Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery after keep alive memory (kam) clear. Models 2003-05 thunderbird, 05-06 mustang, 06-08 fusion, 04-05 explorer, 05-06 expedition, 05-07 F-150; 2003-06 LS, 06 zephyr, 05-06 navigator; 06-08 milan.
- 10026402Ford/lincoln mercury: certain 2003-2005 model year lincoln LS and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with 3.9L engine with extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies and on 2003 my vehicles only , engine valve cover gaskets.
- 10025342Lincoln service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Certain 2003-2005 lincoln LS vehicles equipped with duratec 3.0L 4V engine. Pcv hose assembly replacement. Csc was received.
- 10023293Certain 2003 model year lincoln LS and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with 3.9L engine - extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies and engine valve cover gaskets. Also have an owner's letter.
- 10022299Parking aid system IS inoperative - dtc c1983.
- 10020702Parking aid system inoperative - dtc c1983.
- 10018968Parking aid system inoperative.
- 10018745Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017925Water/moisture in cop wells - dtc p0301-p0308 - 3.9L engine - vehicles built through 5/1/2004.
- 10017917Unusual engine noise or engine knock concerns due to regular fuel.
- 10017908Intermittent stumble on rapid tip-in from steady speed, generally between 20-50 mph (32-80 km/h) accompanied by a inductive backfire after the tip-in.
- 10017903No start, rough idle, or malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0174, p0173, p2195, p2197, p0420, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306.
- 10014674Customer satisfaction program 04b20. Rear seat latches and owner guide label for vehicles that may have a rear seat latch that IS difficult to latch and supplemental latch verification instruction label which should be affixed to the owner guide.
- 10014672Day time running lamps.
- 10014594Vibration felt for a few miles of driving after parking.
- 10014165Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
- 10014138Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013401Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1145 and/or c1155 stored in anti-lock brake system (ABS) module.
- 10013371Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and electronic throttle control (etc) lamps on with both diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2106 and p2135.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10013321Am/fm and cellular phone reception interference - service tip.
- 10013116Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
- 10013114Climate controlled seats turning off shortly after initialization - diagnostic trouble codes b2729, b2730, b2731.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10012964Am fm and cellular phone reception interference .
- 10012954Safety belt web stop button service.
- 10012947Maf diagnostic service tip - vehicles equipped with egr system module (esm).
- 10011335P225/55r16 continental tires may exhibit excessive tire cupping/feather edge wear at low tire mileage (under 24,000 miles/39,000 km). Oasis.
- 10011162Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
- 10011159Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011153Mositure in reverse lamp.
- 10009344ABS warning indicator on with diagnostic trouble code c1145 and/or c1155.
- 10009342Key-in-ignition warning chime sound whenever the driver's door IS open (even with no key in the ignition), the easy exit feature inoperative when the key IS removed from the ignition, or the steering column (and seat if applicable) moving back and forth when the key IS removed from the ignition on vehicles with a ford accessory remote start kit.
- 1000933916-Inch continental tires may exhibit tire vibration caused by flat spotting.
- 10009321Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns.
Every Lincoln LS model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.